Melrose Vs. TPIS headers Opinions needed.
12-02-2016, 07:30 AM
#1
Melrose Vs. TPIS headers Opinions needed.
Its time to take the plunge for a set of long tubes, what do you think are the best to get at a reasonable price. I know there is American Racing but they cost quite a bit more......Give me some input please!
12-02-2016, 09:55 AM
#2
Team Owner
I can tell you that TPIS fit my application well. I didn't have the smog crap so it made more room. Best of all, the annual plug change is even easier for #6 and #8 than a couple others on the passenger side.
12-02-2016, 10:51 AM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
No experience with the Melrose, but have seen them on another car and they were nice. I use TPiS and love them.
12-02-2016, 12:18 PM
#6
Team Owner
What is the endgame for the car?
12-02-2016, 12:52 PM
#7
Race Director
There is also EM (Exotic Muscle) though possibly more challenging (sporadic) to order/ship.
12-02-2016, 02:08 PM
#8
The end game is basic bolt on now.....No emissions One day new intake, cam and heads. I have Roller rockers, Underdrives to install. Have completed Throttle body coolant bypass, Air lid cut, AFPR, Emission delete Mas cleaned out, new 22lb injectors and new Walbro fuel pump.
12-02-2016, 04:16 PM
#9
Race Director
There's nothing wrong with the performance of any of your options: Hedman, Hooker, TPIS, OBX, EM, Stainless Works, or ARH.
Feedback regarding installation favors TPIS and Stainless Works (the later costing more). TPIS might need to be recoated if you own the car long enough.
If you plan to have the car for many years (5-10 or more), the stainless option makes a lot of sense. They retain integrity longest.
If there's any chance you won't do cam/heads, there's nothing wrong with a 1 5/8" set. Hedman, OBX, and/or SW. If you're sure you'll build a 350 high HP option (or even a stroker), 1 3/4" headers could be the better choice...leading you to the other options. If you do a high-flow TPI setup (350 or 383), then you are in the grey area where either size comes into consideration.
OBX (sold on eBay) might be the cost/value option though some have had to beat/bang for fitment. Others haven't. IIRC, they are stainless and should have longevity in their favor.
If you're not comfortable with fabbing, bending, and/or cutting brackets, TPIS is probably the safest "bolt-on" option at the best price. I'm not saying you can't find a set of Hedmans or OBX that won't bolt right in -- but the odds aren't as high. I just don't think anyone has complained about TPIS fitment. The rest have had a few issues here/there. Stainless Works is top-notch...like ARH. But you pay for that.
Feedback regarding installation favors TPIS and Stainless Works (the later costing more). TPIS might need to be recoated if you own the car long enough.
If you plan to have the car for many years (5-10 or more), the stainless option makes a lot of sense. They retain integrity longest.
If there's any chance you won't do cam/heads, there's nothing wrong with a 1 5/8" set. Hedman, OBX, and/or SW. If you're sure you'll build a 350 high HP option (or even a stroker), 1 3/4" headers could be the better choice...leading you to the other options. If you do a high-flow TPI setup (350 or 383), then you are in the grey area where either size comes into consideration.
OBX (sold on eBay) might be the cost/value option though some have had to beat/bang for fitment. Others haven't. IIRC, they are stainless and should have longevity in their favor.
If you're not comfortable with fabbing, bending, and/or cutting brackets, TPIS is probably the safest "bolt-on" option at the best price. I'm not saying you can't find a set of Hedmans or OBX that won't bolt right in -- but the odds aren't as high. I just don't think anyone has complained about TPIS fitment. The rest have had a few issues here/there. Stainless Works is top-notch...like ARH. But you pay for that.
12-02-2016, 04:35 PM
#10
That sounds awesome, I spoke with TPIS a little bit ago and they are not going in to production for a week or so and will be ready to ship after Christmas. I don't want to wait that long! I emailed Melrose but did not hear back yet.
12-02-2016, 07:54 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
I'll never do any exhaust w/o ceramic coating again, for performance bump and appearance.
TPIS disappointed me when they advised me to "dimple" mine at #7 to remedy repeat boot burning, and the resultant misfiring even WITH Taylor insulating boots. There was some fitment issue with the alternator brackets.
TPIS disappointed me when they advised me to "dimple" mine at #7 to remedy repeat boot burning, and the resultant misfiring even WITH Taylor insulating boots. There was some fitment issue with the alternator brackets.
12-03-2016, 09:23 AM
#15
I'll never do any exhaust w/o ceramic coating again, for performance bump and appearance.
TPIS disappointed me when they advised me to "dimple" mine at #7 to remedy repeat boot burning, and the resultant misfiring even WITH Taylor insulating boots. There was some fitment issue with the alternator brackets.
TPIS disappointed me when they advised me to "dimple" mine at #7 to remedy repeat boot burning, and the resultant misfiring even WITH Taylor insulating boots. There was some fitment issue with the alternator brackets.
That is interesting. TPIS makes what I thought the best fitting header for the C4. My TPIS headers have been on my 85 for roughly 13 years and fit great with the factory brackets. I wonder if different years have different fitment issues. I will say however like Greggpen pointed out they could use a recoating, but that is to be expected as long as they have been on the car.